Bartolomei, S., et al. (2018). Acute effects of ammonia inhalants on strength and power performance in trained men.

But what’s in that bottle? And what does it do to your body? Dr. Rainbolt shares the noxious truth behind smelling salts. What are smelling salts?We recommend only healthy individuals with no breathing problems (asthma or emphysema) use smelling salts. Secondly, start with only a small amount if this is your first time using them as too much could not be good for your body’s health. Smelling salts, although a stimulant to some extent, are completely legal and safe. There are however, a couple of instances in sport where the use of smelling salts have been banned.

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Historically, people have used smelling salts to revive someone after a fainting spell,” explains family medicine physician Elizabeth Rainbolt, MD. “But they’re not used much medically anymore. These days, they’re commercially available and being used by some people as a pre-workout stimulant of sorts.” Most smelling salts are a mixture of ammonia, water, and alcohol. Although, some products may vary in the ammonia concentration. How do smelling salts work? Coughing and watery eyes: Smelling salts contain a chemical called ammonia. Ammonia has an irritating smell that when you inhale it, can make you cough and your eyes watery. It is commonly used to clear stuffiness in the nose or for smelling if someone passes out during sports activities like football. The smelling salts we’ve reviewed today are all quality options. They’re perfectly legal and can absolutely give a cognitive boost although we don’t recommend everyone use them. Many athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a mental edge can safely use these products if done properly so make sure to always read the instructions carefully.Ignoring injuries. Smelling salts might help you feel better temporarily after an injury. You might find it easier to ignore the pain and keep going. But if you’re seriously injured, pushing on in this way could have serious consequences. Dosage and uses. The amount, frequency, and length of time that you use smelling salts are largely dependent on why you’re using them and the strength of the salts. Consult the product’s instructions or doctor’s recommendations for proper usage. Major sports organizations have rules banning performance-enhancing substances.But mostmajor sports associations, including the NFL, NHL, NBA and the Olympics allow athletes to use smelling salts. Overuse of smelling salts may lead to damage to your nasal passages. The sharp fumes from the ammonia may burn the membranes in your nostrils, but this would require frequent and heavy use of smelling salts. Doing too much too soon can not only delay healing and worsen your symptoms, but it can also put you at risk of further injury or another concussion. warning

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455704/Ammonia_TO_PHE_240815.pdf Smelling salts are used to arouse consciousness. When released, they irritate the the membranes of the nose. This causes the nostrils to open triggers a natural reflex to inhale, thus, sending a rush of oxygen to the brain. And your body will almost certainly have a reflexive, physical reaction to the irritation. You might sneeze. Cough (a lot). Or have trouble catching your breath. For people with conditions like asthma or other breathing or lung conditions, that reaction may be worse. Smelling salts smell… unpleasant, to put it mildly. It’s like getting a whiff of the worst candle in the aisle. (You know the one.) But times a couple thousand.

Smelling salts are being sold at supplement stores and online as a performance-enhancing energy boost. They promise to “take your performance to the next level” or provide “explosive energy and strength.” Literally, any of the products on our list will have an effect on focus and alertness but product selection depends on personal preference and budget. Although, quality and effectiveness may vary based on the ingredients/dose and cost. Smelling salts may react poorly with preexisting conditions. People with respiratory system conditions may experience adverse reactions. Those conditions include: This past week, when I discovered a new type of smelling salts, I decided it was time to build out a bit of a comparison between the different options. Whether you are using ammonia inhalants for sports or as an energy booster before/during a workout, you may have noticed a variety of different options. Although there are many different brand options, when it comes down to it, there are only really 3 different types of ammonia salt to decide between. The product selections on our list were based on certain criteria to ensure we recommend only the best quality options currently available on the market.